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Airi Sano, Prankmaster General #1
New School Skirmish
A hilarious story of new-school hijinks, filled with friendship, family, and plenty of pranks--perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
Meet Airi Sano. After spending her entire childhood moving from one military base to another, she's excited to be settling down for the long-term in Hawai'i. She's less excited about her new teacher, who's determined to make Airi like school. But she's got a plan: prank her teacher so hard that she gives up on even trying to get Airi to do any work--especially any reading.
But Mrs. Ashton won't give up, no matter what Airi does. Airi will need the help of her new classmates--who might even be her new friends--to get Mrs. Ashton to crack. It's time . . . for a prank war!
With fun and funny black-and-white illustrations throughout, New School Skirmish kicks off a brand-new series for readers to adore!
Praise for Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish
"The ultimate prankster has arrived! Airi Sano is guaranteed to keep readers on their toes!" -Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of the Frazzled series
Meet Airi Sano. After spending her entire childhood moving from one military base to another, she's excited to be settling down for the long-term in Hawai'i. She's less excited about her new teacher, who's determined to make Airi like school. But she's got a plan: prank her teacher so hard that she gives up on even trying to get Airi to do any work--especially any reading.
But Mrs. Ashton won't give up, no matter what Airi does. Airi will need the help of her new classmates--who might even be her new friends--to get Mrs. Ashton to crack. It's time . . . for a prank war!
With fun and funny black-and-white illustrations throughout, New School Skirmish kicks off a brand-new series for readers to adore!
Praise for Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish
"The ultimate prankster has arrived! Airi Sano is guaranteed to keep readers on their toes!" -Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of the Frazzled series
304 pages, Hardcover
Published September 20, 2022
1 person is currently reading
1658 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Tokushige
3 books5 followersZoe Tokushige (she/they) originally hails from Southern California, but has spent the past decade on the East Coast. After attending NYU for a BS in media, culture, and communications, Zoe received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College before returning to New York to work in publishing. Zoe currently works at Penguin Random House. When not writing, Zoe enjoys crafts, video games, and D&D. You can visit Zoe online at zoetokushige.com and follow her on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram @zoetokushige.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 30, 2023
I definitely think this book should be on a school's reading list..
December 13, 2022
Prank-loving military kid Airi is convinced that she is "unteachable." When her family relocates AGAIN--this time, to Hawaii--Airi is surprised that her new 6th grade teacher (Mrs. Ashton) doesn't get angry with her or frustrated when she acts out in class. But based on past experiences, Airi believes it is just a matter of time before Mrs. Ashton gives up on her--just like all the teachers Airi had before. Airi sets out to test Mrs. Ashton's limits, even making (and enlisting) new friends to abet her efforts. When Mrs. Ashton reveals that she, too, was once a champion prankster and turns the tables on Airi, Airi begins to wonder if she's finally met her match.
The energetic first-person narrative alternates with excerpts from the "case file" that Airi creates for herself to document her delinquency; she includes incident reports, after action reports, and situation reports. Because Airi loves to draw and is a talented artist, black-and-white illustrations pepper every chapter.
Humor and mischief make this an engaging read, but what I really love about this book is its diversity. Airi is Japanese American and learns that she has dyslexia; the author uses the setting to introduce Hawaiian culture and history; one classmate is referred to with they/them pronouns; and Mrs. Ashton has a wife.
Refreshing and fun.
The energetic first-person narrative alternates with excerpts from the "case file" that Airi creates for herself to document her delinquency; she includes incident reports, after action reports, and situation reports. Because Airi loves to draw and is a talented artist, black-and-white illustrations pepper every chapter.
Humor and mischief make this an engaging read, but what I really love about this book is its diversity. Airi is Japanese American and learns that she has dyslexia; the author uses the setting to introduce Hawaiian culture and history; one classmate is referred to with they/them pronouns; and Mrs. Ashton has a wife.
Refreshing and fun.
August 29, 2023
Kind of a slow burn to start, but this book has all kinds of great things in it -- a kid dealing with the double whammy of one parent struggling with depression and a second who often travels for their military service. Anxiety about her brilliant younger brother and so much love for her adorable baby sister. Airi struggles to read, and would always rather prank than engage, but this year turns out to be different -- her teacher challenges her to a prank championship, and friendships that grow despite Airi always being 100% herself.
I loved that Airi is so very committed to being herself. She's convinced that she's a troublemaker and wants the school to give up on her and let her inhabit that role, but this school is full of people who see past that. Loved that her teacher is married to a woman, that Airi is so amazingly good with little kids, that the struggles her family faces are so very relatable, and that the pranks are pretty cool when they start picking up. This isn't one of those lecture-at-you feel-good books -- it's more spirited, unexpected and funny than that, and yet respect for the Native peoples and culture of Hawai'i is woven throughout. Respect for both the military and for lgbtq2ia+ community is just present and woven throughout. Respect for learning differences, and ways to navigate microaggressions is woven throughout. This is the book that I would give to kids who are nervous about navigating social situations, because they aren't easy in the book, but they all turn out ok in surprising ways. And it's heavily illustrated, which is delightful.
I loved that Airi is so very committed to being herself. She's convinced that she's a troublemaker and wants the school to give up on her and let her inhabit that role, but this school is full of people who see past that. Loved that her teacher is married to a woman, that Airi is so amazingly good with little kids, that the struggles her family faces are so very relatable, and that the pranks are pretty cool when they start picking up. This isn't one of those lecture-at-you feel-good books -- it's more spirited, unexpected and funny than that, and yet respect for the Native peoples and culture of Hawai'i is woven throughout. Respect for both the military and for lgbtq2ia+ community is just present and woven throughout. Respect for learning differences, and ways to navigate microaggressions is woven throughout. This is the book that I would give to kids who are nervous about navigating social situations, because they aren't easy in the book, but they all turn out ok in surprising ways. And it's heavily illustrated, which is delightful.
September 12, 2022
Special thanks to Penguin Random House International for providing me a physical ARC of this title.
AIRI SANO PRANKMASTER GENERAL is a wonderful book. Airo Sano is an American Japanese girl who wants to bring a smile to people around her by pranks and jokes. I loved her pranks throughout the books. I’m not very much a fan of kid‘s fiction but this book has now developed my interest in this genre.
The people around Airi were also great. I also liked Airi’s family a lot especially her dad and her baby sister Kaori. Her relationship with her dad is adorable. I liked how he supported Airi and understood her despite her prankster kind of nature 😂. But I’m glad that she made up with her mom in the end.
My most favorite character besides Airi is her enemy ( not in real sense😅) Mrs Ashton. She is a teacher in her new school. Mrs Ashton making Airi speechless were my favorite moments from the novel. Airi’s demonstration of her hairstyle is really humorous and hilarious.
The publisher says that this book is for age 8-12 but in my opinion anyone who is a fan of YA genre would love this.
AIRI SANO PRANKMASTER GENERAL is a wonderful book. Airo Sano is an American Japanese girl who wants to bring a smile to people around her by pranks and jokes. I loved her pranks throughout the books. I’m not very much a fan of kid‘s fiction but this book has now developed my interest in this genre.
The people around Airi were also great. I also liked Airi’s family a lot especially her dad and her baby sister Kaori. Her relationship with her dad is adorable. I liked how he supported Airi and understood her despite her prankster kind of nature 😂. But I’m glad that she made up with her mom in the end.
My most favorite character besides Airi is her enemy ( not in real sense😅) Mrs Ashton. She is a teacher in her new school. Mrs Ashton making Airi speechless were my favorite moments from the novel. Airi’s demonstration of her hairstyle is really humorous and hilarious.
The publisher says that this book is for age 8-12 but in my opinion anyone who is a fan of YA genre would love this.
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this notebook novel, we meet Airi, who is of Japanese American descent and whose military family moves to Hawai'i to be near her grandparents, since her mother has struggled since the birth of Airi's baby sister. Airi doesn't do well in school, unlike her brother EJ, so she acts out, thinking that if she is bad enough, the teacher will just leave her alone. This strategy doesn't work with Ms. Ashton, who hardly blinks when Airi puts sriracha sauce in cupcake frosting or questions whether the class should be reading The Secret Garden (a good discussion of how beloved books can have problems), but does get upset when Airi scares her young daughter at a Halloween party. Lots of fun details about Hawai'i and Japanese food, but Airi seemed younger than 6th grade, and does a lot of thoughtless pranks.
In this notebook novel, we meet Airi, who is of Japanese American descent and whose military family moves to Hawai'i to be near her grandparents, since her mother has struggled since the birth of Airi's baby sister. Airi doesn't do well in school, unlike her brother EJ, so she acts out, thinking that if she is bad enough, the teacher will just leave her alone. This strategy doesn't work with Ms. Ashton, who hardly blinks when Airi puts sriracha sauce in cupcake frosting or questions whether the class should be reading The Secret Garden (a good discussion of how beloved books can have problems), but does get upset when Airi scares her young daughter at a Halloween party. Lots of fun details about Hawai'i and Japanese food, but Airi seemed younger than 6th grade, and does a lot of thoughtless pranks.
February 25, 2025
Military family relocated to Hawaii, supposed to be their last move. Smart, perfect (gifted?) younger brother, new baby, depressed mom. Only her dad gets her.
Starting mid-year, determined to do 6th grade on HER terms. New teacher Ms. Ashton is unflappable, and Airi refuses to let her win. Teacher modifies assignments research via videos, math with pictures) deals with her defiance calmly (“The Secret Garden reflects gender bias and imperialist attitudes”. )
Had very few friends, also resists being popular, but she eventually recruits a prankster team.
I wish the teacher had mentioned dyslexia sooner, but maybe she didn’t want to scare/label her.
A funny and sweet story. Very visual: doodles, files on people.
Starting mid-year, determined to do 6th grade on HER terms. New teacher Ms. Ashton is unflappable, and Airi refuses to let her win. Teacher modifies assignments research via videos, math with pictures) deals with her defiance calmly (“The Secret Garden reflects gender bias and imperialist attitudes”. )
Had very few friends, also resists being popular, but she eventually recruits a prankster team.
I wish the teacher had mentioned dyslexia sooner, but maybe she didn’t want to scare/label her.
A funny and sweet story. Very visual: doodles, files on people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
Airi Sano, Prankmaster General is warm and witty and funny. Though I found Airi a bit annoying at first because she prattled on so, I quickly came to appreciate her zest for fun and life, and enjoyed seeing the unfolding of her heart and mind as she learned to make friends and also learned to learn. The characters are all well drawn, both literally and figuratively. The illustrations are childishly perfect and spot on with the tone of the book. An excellent first novel that children are bound to enjoy and from which they can learn much about compassion for people who are different from themselves. I look forward to reading more from Zoe Tokushige.
October 24, 2022
I was happy to receive a ARC in exchange for my review. I was excited to get an early copy as it was recommended for fans of diary of a wimpy kid and my son and I have read those together..
While it has similar humor and age related issues it is a little different. First the main character is a girl:) , the illustrations aren't quite as frequent, some cultural diversity and it seems to have characters with more depth.
That being said my son and I both enjoyed the book. I see potential for a promising series.
While it has similar humor and age related issues it is a little different. First the main character is a girl:) , the illustrations aren't quite as frequent, some cultural diversity and it seems to have characters with more depth.
That being said my son and I both enjoyed the book. I see potential for a promising series.
August 22, 2023
LOVED this one! Airi is a military kid and her family has just been stationed in Hawaii and hope to stay there for longer than they usual get to stay in one place. This book includes lots of great Japanese and Hawaiian culture bits, some very clever (but harmless) pranks, and one of the most enviable 6th grade teachers I've encountered in a book (she pranks back and she does it WELL). The book also contains occasional illustrations (Airi is an accomplished artist and has dyslexia) and journal entries that read like a military tactical notebook. Highly recommend.
August 12, 2023
What I enjoyed:
1. Arni’s self-confidence
2. The wonderful friends she makes at her new school
3. Mrs. Ashton (obvi)
What held me back from a higher rating:
1. The length. For middle grade humor fiction, this was overly long.
2. Arni’s dyslexia was quickly tossed out at the end of the story yet Arni’s mom’s depression was never fully identified. For readers who live with and love a person suffering from depression it would have been good for a more open and honest explanation.
1. Arni’s self-confidence
2. The wonderful friends she makes at her new school
3. Mrs. Ashton (obvi)
What held me back from a higher rating:
1. The length. For middle grade humor fiction, this was overly long.
2. Arni’s dyslexia was quickly tossed out at the end of the story yet Arni’s mom’s depression was never fully identified. For readers who live with and love a person suffering from depression it would have been good for a more open and honest explanation.
November 8, 2022
This is a book I wish I had when I was a kid. The main character Airi is well written and a fully realized person. It really brought me back to the emotions and state of mind of when I was 11. The illustrations were very cute and the book overall it warmed my cold heart.
Gonna be sending this as a recommendation along to all my friends with kids and teachers!
Gonna be sending this as a recommendation along to all my friends with kids and teachers!
December 29, 2022
Airi Sano, Prankmaster General by my old MFA pal Zoe Tokushige was out my normal reading wheelhouse but I loved it! Tokushige's descriptions of food had me starving as I read, and the Airi's pranks had me laughing, before the ending made me cry. Great book!
August 6, 2023
Okay, so I may be biased because my best friend wrote this book.
BUT it is genuinely so funny and charming and truly fun to read. My favorite bits were all the different foods talked about and drawn and Airi's perspective on adults.
Naalchigar's illustrations are so lively and wonderful!
BUT it is genuinely so funny and charming and truly fun to read. My favorite bits were all the different foods talked about and drawn and Airi's perspective on adults.
Naalchigar's illustrations are so lively and wonderful!
December 18, 2022
wimpy kid like with a "local" (island) flavor. Some kanji (Japanese characters), hint of LGBTQ, military kids, dyslexia, etc..
March 22, 2023
Cute book! Perfect for kids going into 6th grade!
April 2, 2023
Hilarious, and also got me a bit misty eyed.
April 16, 2023
Didn't love it. All the extra journal entries took forever to read. Brooke liked it but didn't love it.
July 8, 2023
I loved reading about a troublemaker from the troublemaker's point of view. This was so tactfully executed, and very cute! I learned a lot from reading this story.
December 31, 2023
A new illustrated novel with humor and lessons that will be great for early middle grade readers who gravitate towards books like Dork Diaries. Underneath the humor, silliness, and hijinks, is a great lesson about figuring out who you are in a new place.
Educators' Guide: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/27266
Educators' Guide: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/27266
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews